UV Index in Gwanda, Zimbabwe

Last updated: July 2, 2025

In Gwanda, Zimbabwe, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Understanding UV levels can help you prevent sunburn and maintain long-term skin health, especially under Gwanda's warm BSh climate, where UV exposure can spike dramatically during midday. With peak UV Index values reaching as high as 8 around noon, it's essential to take proactive measures to shield your skin, ensuring you enjoy the sun safely while minimizing health risks.

Hourly UV Index in Gwanda

The UV Index throughout the day presents a clear pattern, peaking around noon with a maximum value of 8, indicating that sun protection is crucial during this time. Starting from a low of 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, the index rises steadily, hitting 5 by 10:00. It escalates to its highest point at 12:00, before gradually declining to 7 at 13:00 and then dropping further as the afternoon progresses. By 16:00, the index has decreased to 2, and finally, it settles to 0 by 18:00, meaning minimal risk of harm from sun exposure as daylight fades. For outdoor enthusiasts, the best advice is to stay safe and protect against UV rays, especially around midday!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	1	low	45 min
08:00	1	low	45 min
09:00	3	moderate	30 min
10:00	5	moderate	30 min
11:00	7	high	25 min
12:00	8	very high	15 min
13:00	7	high	25 min
14:00	5	moderate	30 min
15:00	3	moderate	30 min
16:00	2	low	45 min
17:00	1	low	45 min
18:00	0	low	45 min
19:00	0	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Gwanda

Throughout the year, the UV Index shows significant fluctuations, with the highest levels occurring from January to April, where the index frequently reaches 16, categorizing exposure as extreme and indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. This trend continues in September to November, with similarly high risks. May to August sees a slight decrease in UV intensity, but July and August still register as very high, with a burn time of 15 minutes; thus, caution is still essential. Visitors and residents are advised to take appropriate sun safety measures, particularly during high-risk months (January to April and September to November), by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Gwanda, Zimbabwe

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Gwanda. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Gwanda, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Gwanda UV Index with Other Zimbabwe Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Gwanda compares to other major locations across Zimbabwe. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Gwanda's solar exposure compared to other cities in Zimbabwe. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Gwanda	16	16	14	12	9	7	8	10	12	14	15	15
Bulawayo UVI	17	16	14	12	9	8	8	10	12	13	15	15
Mutare UVI	17	16	14	12	10	8	8	10	12	13	15	15
Gweru UVI	17	16	14	12	10	8	8	10	12	13	15	15
Chitungwiza UVI	17	16	14	13	10	9	8	10	12	13	15	15
Harare UVI	18	16	14	13	10	9	8	11	12	12	15	15